worm out
C1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To cleverly get someone to tell you something they didn't want to tell you.
Literal meaning: To move like a worm (slowly, winding) to extract something out of a person or place.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To obtain secret or reluctant information from someone by persistent or indirect questioning.
"He finally wormed the truth out of her by pretending he already knew part of the story."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
To manoeuvre oneself cleverly out of an obligation or difficult situation.
"He tried to worm out of the meeting by claiming he had a prior commitment."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Usually constructed as 'worm something out of someone'. The metaphor is of a worm's winding, indirect movement — you get the information by moving around the subject indirectly rather than asking directly. Often implies mild deception or persistence.
Commonly used with
secret confession truth information details story
Forms
Base
worm out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
worms out
he/she/it
Past simple
wormed out
yesterday
Past participle
wormed out
have + pp
-ing form
worming out
continuous
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